The Mentalist

[Evolution]

Anyone been watching it? I'm about six episodes in, got up to ten downloaded. It's very similar to Lie to Me as has been said, but I think it has enough differences to remain watchable. It's more light-hearted, and the lead character has a very different way of endearing himself to the audience. Good chemistry between the main five cast too.

[Hammy]

Yeah its quality I've been watching it since it started on FIVE.  The opening to the first ever episode is great.

I found initially overall first few episodes were hit and miss but it does get stronger, I'm upto that point now where you know all the cast well and tuning in is like putting on a comfy pair of slippers, all very enjoyable characters, Simon Baker is great in the lead role.  Ratings I've seen on the net show its been a BIG hit stateside.

Just seen episode 19, so only 4 more to go.

[Evolution]

That's good, another few seasons I'd imagine then. I thought the second episode with the restaurant owner's up to no good was the best one so far. That and the Poker one.

Great to see Goodwin from Lost play a rapist in Episode 3!

[Hammy]

I really do have a bad memory, don't remember any of that.

Yeah ratings...

The December 2, 2008 episode ("Flame Red") was the highest-rated television show of the week, marking the first time a program in its first season had achieved that distinction since Desperate Housewives four years earlier

Started with 15 mil peaked at 19, finished with over 17.

Whereas its similiar neighbour Lie to Me:

In the United States the viewing figures declined as the series progressed. The Pilot was seen by 12.37 million, however by the final episode of the first season it was down to 8.46 million.

Strange that, such a vast difference in ratings, clearly different programs but with many similiar aspects to, and both quality shows.  Maybe Baker pulls in the women.  Also I don't know what they air on in the States and how that affects things.

We in the UK appreciate Lie to Me though...

The first episode attracted 395,000 viewers overnight in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 790,000 watching the episode on personal video recorders. The live viewing figures increased to 436,000 overnight for the second episode.[18] The vieweing figures have increased gradually over the series. The highest rated episode of the series (as of 23 July 2009) is episode 9, with official viewing figures of 739,000.

(Should probably make a thread for it...)

[Hammy]

Hammy (or those who have watched the show) have they started about revealing who Big Red is or was that just in the series premiere?  I watched a few episodes of this and while it was good I got kinda bored.  Oh yeah, the brunette in that show is hot (not Robin Tunney).

To start with your last point, yeah she needs a google search.

I'm yet to watch the last 2 episodes but from reading the episode description, the finale is about Red John.

[Evolution]

The finale was pretty good, quite tense at points. Makes sense for them not to blow their load right away too.

I prefer Lisbon over Van Pelt too!

[Hammy]

I prefer Lisbon over Van Pelt too!

Weirdo. 

[Evolution]

I prefer Lisbon over Van Pelt too!

Weirdo. 

C'mon, man!

[Hammy]

^ Aye but the preference.

I would reply with pictures of Van Pelt but I'd be breaking our very "PG" no nudity rule. 

[Evolution]

I had no idea we had such a rule. Ah, well 

[Evolution]

Another returner next week!

[Hammy]

I had no idea we had such a rule. Ah, well 

One of our staff forgot that recently too 

I think I'll hold back on this, I watched it before on FIVE and I'd rather watch it at that pace, my folks watch it and I download so much, heck because they are behind it only seems like a few weeks since I saw the finale.